The condition, however, only occurs in 3 to 5% of the population, so the study will have to utilize multiple sites across the country.

He says each site will recruit about 15-20 patients. Dr. Baxter says the Center will coordinate the efforts at each site as well as distribute the money and medications to the trial sites.

"It typically affects men more than women but women are about a third of the patients. It usually affects smokers and it occurs in the 60s, 70s and 80s.”

Dr. Baxter says the part of the aorta they are focusing on in the study is in the abdomen. He says half the patients in the trial will receive doxycycline, an antibiotic that is currently used for acne and other conditions.

Dr. Baxter’s previous research suggests that the drug inhibits the enzymes that weaken aortic walls.